Joining Pipes to a Structure from a different Network!

I have to admit that this came to me as a surprise find…..is this intentionally not mentioned anywhere? Or could this be some sort of unintended behaviors of Civil3D Pipe Networks? For as long as I have tinkered with Civil3D and more specifically Pipe Networks I had always thought that you cannot connect parts from one network to another network. In fact, this required me to teach users that there was a certain workaround that required duplicating a “dummy” manhole on the second system. Apparently that is not the case!

Anyone see this error message?








Step one: Create two separate pipe networks. (See image)











Step two: Edit network of secondary pipe network system via “grips”. (See image)











Step three: Using square grip – drag pipe toward manhole on the first pipe network system towards where the pipes connect to the manhole on the first network until you see the connection glyph. (See image)










Step four: Check your results! Notice the pipes are connected at the same invert, but remain separate systems. (See image)






Authored by: John Rodriguez | Civil Engineering Technical Specialist